1: Companion Tales

Otogizoshi literally means "companion tale," and the historical Japanese otogizōshi refer to around three hundred and fifty prose narratives written primarily in the Muromachi period (1392-1573) of Japanese history, an era of conflict and struggle between various conflicting interests and the agendas of powerful people. The years of 1465-1573, the second half of the Muromachi period, are referred to as the Sengoku Jidai or "Warring States" era due to the country being in constant military upheaval.